Edmonton's Best Neighbourhoods 2013: Make Your Vote Count!

Last winter, we conducted our first-ever Best Neighbourhoods survey, in conjunction with Banister Research and Consulting Ltd.

The response was tremendous. And after months of number crunching, the survey provided the data we needed for our first-ever Best Neighbourhoods issue, which came out in August, 2012.

We were confident in our methodology — and our math. And the clear winner for Edmonton’s top neighbourhood was Strathcona. Whyte Avenue, historic homes, nightlife, a great walkable community with easy access to the river valley. These are all solid reasons why Strathcona was our readers’ number one pick.

That’s not to say every Avenue reader was enamoured with the list. Our inboxes were filled with emails from readers wondering why many of Edmonton’s prestigious communites — from the south side to the west end to Glenora — didn’t make the cut. And the simple answer? The votes weren’t there. We won’t apologize for the way we ranked the communities, because it was you, our readers, who ranked the communities.

And now, you get the chance to do it again. Our second annual Best Neighbourhoods survey is up and ready for you to fill out. Just like last year, by filling out the survey, each respondent is entered into a draw for some great monthly prizes, including meals at some of Edmonton’s finest restaurants. The April prize? We have a $100 in gift certificates for Edmonton restaurants. 

This year, we are asking respondents to vote for their top three neighbourhoods. We feel that this will help mitigate the “homer” vote. Even if you vote for where you live, you have to give us two more picks.

And, we are also asking you to think what Edmonton will look like in the future. We are asking what neighbourhoods you will think will be the city’s best places in which to live … in the future. Will your perceptions of best neighbourhoods change once the massive LRT expansion is finished? What about the changes the City Centre Airport development will mean to Edmonton? Do you see downtown becoming more vibrant in the coming years?

Last August, we were surprised at how the Best Neighbourhoods issue flew off the racks across the city. It stirred up a lot of passion in this city. And, we are hoping the sequel will be even better.

The survey period is now closed. Thank you for your interest in completing the survey. The results will be published in the August 2012 issue.